Jack Reacher author explains why book readers didnât like Tom Cruise as character
â??They were terribly upset about it,â?? Child said
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Lee Child has said that Jack Reacher readers were ârightâ not to approve of Tom Cruiseâs casting in the film franchise.
Before Alan Ritchson assumed the role of the hulking action hero in Amazonâs hit Prime Video series, Cruise played the role in two films: Jack Reacher in 2012 and Jack Reacher: Never Go Back in 2016.
However, a contingent of book fans didnât think the Hollywood star was right for the role due to his height. In Childâs books, Reacher is described as being âextremely tallâ (heâs 6ft, 5in), and âextremely broad, long-armed and long-leggedâ. In real life, Cruise is 5ft, 7in.
Speaking to The Independent about the backlash to Cruiseâs casting, author Child said that, while he âlikedâ working with the actor, âthe readers, ultimately, were rightâ in their views.
âI thought the first movie in particular was excellent,â Child said. âIt was a really crisp hard-edged thriller. Working with Tom was a pleasure and a privilege â heâs a really smart guy, heâs a smart filmmaker, heâs real fun. But you cannot escape the fact that Reacher is a huge guy.â
Child continued: âI mean, that is a component in his entire approach to the world and the worldâs approach to him. Heâs huge, heâs implacable, heâs scary, and for all Tomâs ability in getting the internals of Reacher out, he is not huge and heâs not scary. So the readers were terribly upset about it and I think, ultimately, the readers were right.â
The author thinks they have struck gold with Ritchson, who is returning to play the role in a third season based on Childâs seventh Reacher book Persuader. According to the author: âAlan was born to play Reacher and I think he knows that.â
Both Tom Cruise and Alan Ritchson have played Jack Reacher (Paramount Pictures / Prime Video)
Fans are hyped for this particular adaptation due to the inclusion of an antagonist named Paulie, who is even taller than Reacher. In the books, he is the rare character Reacher comes across who is even bigger than him.
This came with challenges when casting the role, which eventually went to Dutch bodybuilder Olivier Richters, who is 7ft, 1in compared with Ritchsonâs 6ft, 2in.
âThatâs the perfect illustration of how easy it is for me and how hard it is for them because all I have to do is type different words â it costs me nothing,â Child told The Independent.
âWhereas to put that into physical reality on the screen, theyâve got to find that actor. It was literally an international search. There are very few actors even Alanâs size so to get somebody who is noticeably bigger was incredibly difficult. But they found the guy. He is huge! And very scary.â
Child assured viewers âthere is no trickery at all on the screenâ when depicting Paulie.
Olivier Richters will play the hulking Paulie in âReacherâ season three (Prime Video )
âThere are no fancy camera angles. Thereâs no CGI. Alan looks tiny next to this guy and to find that was a triumph.â
Reacher season three airs on Prime Video on 20 February